PBA-Smash Pilipinas to compete in Malaysia, Thailand next week

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Badminton Association (PBA) Smash Pilipinas will participate in the Malaysia Masters and the Granular Thailand Junior International starting next week to begin 2016 with international exposures to hone their skills.

PBA Smash Pilipinas national coach Indonesian Paulus Firman said national senior and junior players will go up against the best players in the Southeast Asian region in these two tournaments to gain more experience.

“The Malaysia Masters and the Granular junior tournaments will provide our players the exposure and the experience they need,” said Firman, who presently trains the badminton junior and senior national teams at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

“We just have to win as many games as we can,” he added.

Men’s doubles pair Joper Escueta and Ronel Estanislao, Peter Gabriel Magnaye and Alvin Morada will join the 2016 Malaysia Masters in Penang, Malaysia on January 19 to 24 to be accompanied by Firman.

Marky Alcala and Keeyan Gabuelo will compete in the boys’ singles category of Granular Junior International in Bangkok, Thailand also on January 19 to 24.

 The PBA Smash Pilipinas ended last year in successful manner winning gold medals in Australian and Singapore badminton meets.

The PBA is governed by its President Jejomar Binay, also the country’s vice-president, Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and Secretary-General Cong. Albee Benitez.

“We are hoping to start the year with two competitive international tournaments which I’m pretty sure will help our players,” said Benitez. “We are starting the year with good programs to lead us in the right direction.”